Browse Legislation

SB 1364 - Under this act, any nonprofit statewide association that facilitates interscholastic activities for secondary school students and that includes at least one public school district as a fee-paying member (defined as an "activities association") shall be overseen by a board of three directors appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The term of office of each director shall be four years. If the General Assembly is not in session when a position on the board of directors becomes vacant, the Governor shall make a temporary appointment. The board of directors shall have final decision-making power with respect to all actions of an activities association. Upon motion of any party, a matter may be transferred directly to the board at any time during the matter's pendency. Further, the board of directors shall have authority to remove any employee or member of an activities association, with or without cause, at such time and in such manner as the board shall deem proper. This act contains an emergency clause. OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 1684 - This act creates the "Missouri Residential Sale Leaseback Protection" act, which regulates sale leasebacks. A sale leaseback is defined as a transaction or series of transactions in which a seller sells residential real estate that is or was the seller's residence to another party and, as a condition of the sale, or as part of the same or a related transaction, enters into a lease or rental agreement to remain in or re-occupy the property. In any sale leaseback transaction, a buyer is required to provide the seller with certain disclosures, described in detail in the act, alerting the seller of the nature of the transaction and advising them of certain actions they may wish to take. The disclosure must be provided to the seller not more than 10 days and not less than 3 business days before the execution of any sale leaseback agreement, and the disclosure shall be signed by both the seller and the buyer concurrently with the execution of the sale leaseback agreement. A seller who is party to a sale leaseback agreement has the right to cancel any such agreement prior to the transfer of title, but in no event earlier than thirty days after execution of the sale leaseback agreement, without penalty. Violation of this act is subject to a fine of up to $10,000 per violation. The Attorney General is permitted to enforce this act by bringing a cause of action seeking injunctive relief, civil penalties, and restitution. A seller is also permitted to bring a civil action if harmed by a violation of this act. A seller may recover actual damages, statutory damages up to $10,000, attorneys' fees and costs, and any equitable or injunctive relief. This act may not be waived or modified by agreement of any party. This is substantially similar to provisions in in the truly agreed to SS/SB 834 (2026), the truly agreed to CCS/HCS/SS/SCS/SB 973 (2026), the truly agreed to SS/HB 2636 (2026), and the perfected SS/SCS/SB 1001 (2026). SCOTT SVAGERA

SB 1088 - This act modifies the definition of "residential property" for the purposes of the taxation of real property by providing that such definition shall include single family homes that are owned by a sole proprietor, individual, partnership, or limited liability company and leased, in whole or in part, for a term of less than thirty consecutive days. This act is identical to SCS/HB 1086 (2025) and is substantially similar to SB 699 (2025) and SB 784 (2025), and to a provision in HB 660 (2025). JOSH NORBERG

SCS/SCR 21 - This concurrent resolution encourages all Missouri citizens to engage in appropriate patriotic programs and events in observance of Show-Me America 250 on July 4, 2026, and throughout the year. This concurrent resolution is identical to HCR 52 (2026). JIM ERTLE

Establishes an alert system to assist in the location of missing persons with developmental disabilities

Transfers authority over to the Department of Transportation from the Highways and Transportation Commission to the governor

Modifies provisions relating to the right of sepulcher

SJR 91 - This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, provides that the rate of income tax imposed by the General Assembly shall not exceed 4.7%. This amendment is identical to SJR 83 (2026). JOSH NORBERG

Modifies provisions relating to elections

Requires all proceeds from boating registrations to be deposited in the water patrol division fund and used exclusively for the water patrol division

SB 1496 - This act creates, repeals, and modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education. This act is similar to HB 2866 (2026). MISSOURI EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNTS PROGRAM (Sections 135.712, 135.713, 135.715, 135.716, 160.410, 160.415, 166.700, and 166.720) The act authorizes the General Assembly to fund student scholarships through the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program by appropriating funds to the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts fund. Such scholarships shall be awarded in an order and in amounts established in current law and shall be governed through parent agreements with educational assistance organizations as provided in current law. No provision of law relating to the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program shall be construed to limit the appropriation authority of the General Assembly. (Sections 135.712 and 135.716) The cumulative amount of tax credits that may be allocated in any one calendar year is doubled, increasing from $75 million to $150 million. (Section 135.713) There shall be a maximum of 15 educational assistance organizations, rather than 10, in any school year. No more than 11 of such organizations, rather than 7, shall have their principal place of business in Greene County, Jackson County, St. Charles County, St. Louis County, or the City of St. Louis. (Section 135.715) Where capacity is available, a charter school shall enroll all students who transfer under the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program. A charter school may receive tuition payments from such students. (Sections 160.410 and 160.415) The definition of "qualified student" is modified by repealing provisions requiring students to have an individualized education plan developed under federal law or to be a member of a household with a total annual income that does not exceed 300% of the income standard used to qualify for free and reduced price lunches. (Section 166.700) The act repeals a provision allowing school districts and charter schools to continue including students in the calculation of the district's or school's weighted average daily attendance for up to five years after the student receives an empowerment scholarship and leaves the school district or charter school. (Section 166.720) CHARTER SCHOOLS (Sections 160.400, 160.405, 160.410, and 160.415) Under this act, charter schools may be operated in any school district in the state. The act repeals provisions limiting charter schools to certain school districts and provisions relating to the accreditation status of school districts in which a charter school may operate. (Section 160.400) The proposed charter of a charter school sponsored and approved by the Missouri Charter Public School Commission shall not require the approval of the State Board of Education. (Section 160.405) The act repeals provisions restricting certain state aid payments only to those charter schools in certain school districts. (Section 160.415) Where capacity is available, a charter school shall enroll all students who transfer under the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program or who enroll under provisions of the act authorizing student transfers among school districts and charter schools. A charter school may receive tuition payments from such students. (Sections 160.410 and 160.415) SCHOOL PROPERTY (Sections 160.422 and 162.092) Under this act, cities, counties, and school districts (defined as "political subdivisions") shall not adopt or enforce any ordinance, policy, or resolution that prevents property they sell, lease, or transfer from being used by a charter school for any lawful educational purpose. The act also prohibits any deed restriction, property use restriction, or other such restriction that limits property to specific uses that exclude use by a charter public school for any lawful educational purpose. Any existing restriction that bars property previously used for educational purposes from being used for future educational purposes by a charter school is void. Any ordinance, policy, regulation, deed, use restriction, or contract made in violation of this act is void from its inception. (Section 160.422) Additionally, when a school district offers to sell or lease an unused school building or facility that is not being used for academic, extracurricular, administrative, or athletic purposes, and that either has no approved plan for future use or has a plan that has not been carried out within two years, the contract shall include a right of first refusal allowing a public entity to purchase or lease the property first. The term "public entity" includes the state of Missouri and any of its political subdivisions, such as cities, counties, boards, agencies, or authorities. If the school district accepts an offer to sell or lease the unused building or facility to a non-public entity, such district shall post a public notice on its website stating that the property is available. The public notice shall include the property's square footage, the district's contact information, and a statement that the right of first refusal expires 60 days after this notification. If multiple public entities express interest in the unused building or facility, the school district shall decide which entity shall purchase or lease the property. During negotiations, the school district may choose whether to sell or lease the property, at fair market value or less. A lease shall allow reasonable access and use of shared common areas. If a public entity leases the entire facility and incurs debt to make improvements, the school district shall subordinate its lease interest to that debt. The public entity shall have six months from the date of its written offer to complete the purchase or lease. While leasing, the public entity shall be responsible for all direct expenses, including utilities, insurance, maintenance, property taxes, and repairs. If a public entity later decides to sell a facility it purchased from a school district, such public entity shall first offer the property back to that district, following the same procedures set forth in the act. (Section 162.092) These provisions are similar to SB 1273 (2026), SCS/HCS/HBs 2404 & 2172 (2026), and to provisions in SB 398 (2025), HB 447 (2025), HB 1044 (2025), SB 1006 (2024), SB 1123 (2024), HB 2088 (2024), HB 2178 (2024), SB 304 (2023), SB 650 (2022), HB 2087 (2022), SCS/SB 55, 25, & 23 (2021), SB 315 (2021), HCS/HB 137 (2021), HB 322 (2021), HB 729 (2021), SB 649 (2020), SB 603 (2020), HB 1917 (2020), SB 51 (2019), SCS/SB 271 (2019), SS#2/SCS/SB 292 (2019), SCS/HB 485 (2019), HCS/SS/SB 218 (2019), HCS/HB 581 (2019), and HCS/HB 924 (2019). STUDENT TRANSFERS (Sections 160.410, 160.415, 167.241, 167.895, and 167.898) Current law authorizes students who reside in an unaccredited school district to transfer to an accredited school district in the same or an adjoining county under certain conditions. This act repeals and modifies provisions limiting these transfers to students in unaccredited school districts. Under the act, any student may transfer to another public school or charter school, including transfers from a student's district of residence ("sending district") to a public school in a nonresident district ("receiving district"), beginning in the 2027-28 school year and in all subsequent school years. Each school board shall adopt a policy to determine its transfer capacity for each grade level and school no later than October 27, 2026. The policy shall be publicly posted on the school district's website. By July 15, 2027, and by the first of each month thereafter, each school district shall report to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) the number of available enrollment slots by grade level and school and the school district's average per pupil expenditure. This information shall also be published in a prominent and publicly accessible place on the school district's website. DESE shall publish and update each school district's transfer capacity on an online portal accessible via the DESE website. The portal shall be updated at least monthly and shall include a search function for users to identify schools with capacity to accept transfer students near their home address. Parents of students who wish to transfer shall notify DESE by August 1, 2027, and by the first day of each month thereafter, and DESE shall assign students to a receiving district or charter school as provided in the act. A receiving district shall accept all students who apply and are assigned to the district, so long as there is capacity for each student. School board policies shall not discriminate against any transfer student on the basis of such student's residential address, academic performance, athletic ability, disability, race, ethnicity, sex, or free and reduced price lunch status. If a request for transfer is denied, an appeal may be taken to the State Board of Education by sending the appeal by certified mail to the superintendent of the receiving school district and to the State Board of Education. Any appeal not heard by the State Board of Education within 60 calendar days shall be deemed granted with immediate effect. DESE shall develop forms for filing appeals, and the State Board of Education shall promulgate rules to establish the appeals process. The act repeals provisions requiring sending districts to make tuition payments to receiving districts. Instead, for purposes of calculating state and federal aid, each transfer student shall be counted as a resident of the receiving district in which the student is enrolled. Tuition shall not be charged to any student or to his or her parent or legal guardian. If the receiving district is part of a special school district, the sending district shall contract with the special school district for the entirety of the costs to provide special education and related services, excluding transportation. The special school district may contract with a sending district for transportation, or the sending district may provide transportation on its own. The act outlines school districts' responsibilities for the provision of special education and related services to students with disabilities. A special school district shall continue to provide special education and related services, excluding transportation, to students with disabilities who transfer to another school within the special school district. If the sending district is a metropolitan school district, it shall remain responsible for providing special education and related services, including transportation, to students with disabilities who transfer to a receiving district. A special school district in an adjoining county to a metropolitan school district may contract with the metropolitan school district for the reimbursement of special education and related services provided by the special school district for transfer students. A receiving district that is not part of a special school district shall not be responsible for providing transportation to transfer students, regardless of whether transportation is identified as a related service within a student's individualized education program. A sending district may contract with a receiving district that is not part of a special school district for transportation of students with disabilities. A seven-director or urban school district may contract with a receiving district that is not part of a special school district in the same or an adjoining county for the reimbursement of special education and related services provided by the receiving district. (Sections 167.895 and 167.898) Where capacity is available, a charter school shall enroll all students who transfer under these provisions. A charter school may receive tuition payments from such students. (Sections 160.410 and 160.415) DESE shall designate at least one receiving district or charter school to which each sending district shall provide transportation. A sending district shall be required to provide transportation only to the school district or charter school designated by DESE. (Section 167.241) These provisions are similar to SCS/SBs 215 & 70 (2025). ADMINISTRATOR CERTIFICATION (Section 168.189) Under this act, a school district may consider, but may not require, any criteria greater than that which is necessary to obtain a Missouri initial administrator certificate under rules promulgated by the State Board of Education. A school district may employ such an individual if the individual holds a master's degree or its equivalent and has at least eight years of experience in an executive role with responsibilities described in the act, and if a waiver specific to the applicant has been granted to the school district for this purpose. Such a waiver shall be valid for no longer than three years and eligible for renewal once. Upon conclusion of the maximum six year waiver period, the State Board of Education may grant the applicant a permanent certificate to serve as an administrator in any school district in the state. This act is similar to HB 2866 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

Places restrictions on political subdivisions and homeowners' associations with respect to prohibitions against ownership or pasturing of non-nuisance domesticated animals for consumption

SB 1461 - For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, this act authorizes a tax credit in the amount of fifty percent of an eligible taxpayer's qualified railroad expenditures and qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures. "Qualified railroad expenditures" are defined as gross expenditures for maintenance, reconstruction, or replacement of railroad infrastructure, as described in the act. "Qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures" are defined as gross expenditures for new rail infrastructure, as described in the act. A tax credit for qualified railroad expenditures shall not exceed $5,000 multiplied by the number of miles of railroad track owned or leased in the state by a railroad, and the total amount of tax credits for qualified railroad expenditures authorized in a calendar year shall not exceed $4.5 million. A tax credit for qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures shall not exceed $1 million for each new rail-served customer project, and the total amount of tax credits for qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures authorized in a calendar year shall not exceed $5 million. An eligible taxpayer shall submit a certificate of eligibility to the Department of Economic Development after the completion of the qualified railroad expenditures or qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures. Tax credits authorized by the act shall not be refundable, but may be carried forward for five subsequent tax years. Tax credits may be transferred as described in the act. This act shall sunset on December 31, 2032, unless reauthorized by the General Assembly. (Section 135.1210) This provision is identical to SCS/SB 462 (2025), HB 2716 (2026), and HB 2941 (2026), and to a provision in SB 913 (2026), SCS/SB 864 (2026), and HCS/HB 2713 (2026), and is substantially similar to HCS/HB 669 (2025), SS/SCS/SB 876 (2024), HB 1824 (2024), SB 385 (2023), and HCS/HB 657 (2023), and to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 466 (2025), HCS/HB 1935 (2024), and HCS/HB 939 (2023). JOSH NORBERG

SS/SCS/SB 1442 - This act modifies provisions relating to literacy of elementary school students. EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS (Section 161.097) The act requires educator preparation programs to instruct teacher candidates on the selection and use of "high-quality" reading curricula and instructional materials that do not include the three-cueing system, as such term is defined in current law, as a primary instructional strategy. The act prohibits educator preparation programs from including instruction in, or endorsement of, the three-cueing system as an instructional strategy for decoding. Beginning July 1, 2027, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall annually review and publicly report on the compliance of educator preparation programs with literacy and reading instruction requirements of current law and those established in the act. The review shall evaluate whether instruction is grounded in the components of evidence-based reading instruction and whether prohibited practices, such as the three-cueing system, are excluded from coursework. Educator preparation programs not in compliance with these requirements shall not be approved to certify new teachers. STATE AID FOR READING INSTRUCTION (Section 161.241) The act provides that the current Evidence-Based Reading Instruction Program Fund may be used for initiatives that provide training and materials to teachers regarding structured literacy and dyslexia-informed practices. Such fund may also be used for reading tutoring programs inside regular school hours, rather than only outside regular school hours. IDENTIFICATION OF READING DEFICIENCIES (Sections 167.268, 167.340, and 167.645) The act requires school districts and charter schools to provide suggestions for parent-guided home reading to all parents of students identified as having a reading deficiency, in addition to parents of students with a substantial reading deficiency. (Section 167.268) The act modifies the "Read to be Ready Program" by authorizing districts to include certain students in grades 1-3, rather than kindergarten to grade 3, for additional average daily attendance for state school aid during reading instruction time that occurs outside normal school hours. (Section 167.340) The act establishes the "Missouri Reading Screener", a literacy-based reading assessment administered to students in grades 1-3 three times per year in every school district and charter school in the state. Any screener approved by DESE that meets the criteria set forth in the act shall be deemed a reading screener. Any reading screener approved by DESE shall score each student in one of the following categories and provide a numerical value relative to the student's grade level: "at risk", "approaching expectations", "meets expectations", and "exceeds expectations". Proficiency benchmarks "below basic", "basic", "grade-level", "proficient", or "advanced" associated with these categories shall be determined by DESE. School districts and charter schools shall assess all students on the reading screener once at the end of kindergarten and in grades 1-3 during three annual administration windows established by DESE, as provided in the act. DESE shall provide the screener to school districts and charter schools at no cost. The screener shall be appropriate for students in grades 1-3 and shall be used to comply with dyslexia screening requirements established in current law. Additionally, the reading screener shall screen for characteristics of dyslexia and reading deficiency and assess certain skills as developmentally appropriate. Student results on the reading screener shall not be used to make decisions concerning the accreditation of a public school or school district. A student who scores "approaching expectations" on the Missouri Reading Screener shall be identified as having a reading deficiency. A student who scores "at risk" on the screener shall be identified as having a substantial reading deficiency. Any student entering the school district or charter school after the start of the school year shall be assessed within 20 days and be provided a reading success plan if the student is identified as having a reading deficiency or substantial reading deficiency. The district or charter school shall notify the parent of any student in grades 1-3 who exhibits a reading deficiency or substantial reading deficiency of certain requirements set forth in current law. In addition to such current requirements, the notification shall state that if the child has a substantial reading deficiency by the end of grade three, as determined by the student's performance on the reading screener, the child shall not be promoted to grade four unless the child qualifies for a good cause exemption, as provided in the act. If the district or charter school provides a summer reading program, the parent of a student with a reading deficiency or substantial reading deficiency shall be notified that the student is required to attend the summer reading program. If a child has a reading deficiency or substantial reading deficiency at the end of grade two, the student's parent shall meet with school staff to discuss the deficiency and sign documentation stating that the parent has been informed of certain information set forth in the act, including a statement that retention of a third-grade student with a substantial reading deficiency is mandatory unless the unless the child qualifies for a good cause exemption or scores "approaching expectations" or higher on a retest opportunity, as provided in the act. The parent shall agree to participate in parent training workshops or regular parent-guided home reading activities, or both, that are aligned to scientifically based reading research. A parent's refusal to meet, sign, or agree as required under the act shall not prevent that student from receiving additional interventions or from being retained by the school district. A good cause exemption may be granted to students who are English language learners or who have individualized education plans or 504 plans developed under federal law. A student who has already been retained at least once in kindergarten to third grade shall not be retained and shall not require a good cause exemption. To request a good cause exemption, a student's teacher shall submit documentation to the school principal recommending the student's promotion, including the type of exemption being requested and the child's existing reading improvement plan or individualized education plan, as appropriate. The school principal shall discuss the recommendation with the teacher and determine whether the student qualifies for a good cause exemption. If the school principal determines that the student qualifies for the good cause exemption, the school principal shall make such recommendation in writing to the superintendent, who shall accept or reject the school principal's recommendation in writing. The school district shall assist schools with notifying parents of students who are retained of the reasons for the retention, along with a description of the proposed interventions and supports that will be provided to the child to remedy the identified area or areas of reading deficiency in the following school year. School districts and charter schools may include in reading success plans a "read at home" plan outlined in a parental contract that includes participation in parent training workshops or regular parent-guided home reading activities, or both, that are aligned to scientifically based reading research. Reading success plans and intensive reading instruction shall be provided to each student in grades 1-3 who exhibits a reading deficiency or a substantial reading deficiency, rather than to students in grades 1-5 who exhibit a substantial reading deficiency. Intensive reading instruction provided to students exhibiting a reading deficiency or substantial reading deficiency shall not include the three-cueing system, as defined in current law, as a primary instructional strategy. Each school district shall establish an intensive acceleration class at each school for any student retained in grade three who was previously retained in kindergarten through grade two. The class shall satisfy certain criteria set forth in the act, and shall have a reduced teacher-student ratio and provide explicit, systematic, sequential, and cumulative reading instruction and intervention for the majority of student contact time each day. School districts and charter schools shall report certain reading assessment data to DESE for grades 1-3, rather than for kindergarten through grade five. By October 1 annually, each school board shall report in writing to DESE certain information regarding reading instruction, such as the board's policies regarding student retention and promotion, the number and percentage of students identified as having reading deficiencies or substantial reading deficiencies, the number and percentage of all students retained in kindergarten to third grade due to substantial reading deficiencies, and the total number and percentage of third-grade students who were promoted with good cause exemptions, as provided in the act. Each public school shall make available to the public the title and author of all reading curriculum materials adopted for each grade and the recommended reading level for such materials. (Section 167.645) THREE-CUEING SYSTEM MODEL OF READING INSTRUCTION (Section 170.014) Current law provides that visual information and strategies that improve background and experiential knowledge shall not be used to teach word reading. This act provides that such information and strategies shall not be used to teach decoding. NO ADDITIONAL COSTS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS (Section 1) This act shall not be construed to require public schools, charter schools, or school districts to incur additional costs in order to implement the provisions of the act. This act is similar to SCS/HCS/HB 2872 (2026), HB 2914 (2026), and provisions in SB 1628 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

Repeals section 260.283 relating to paper or plastic bags for packaging items

Modifies provisions relating to a service fee charged by a fire protection district

SB 1791 - This act prohibits candidates for state office from making contributions to their own candidate committee in excess of the contribution limitation applicable to the elective office sought that is applicable pursuant to the Constitution. This act is identical to a provision in SCS/HCS/HB 1788 (2026). SCOTT SVAGERA

SB 1325 - This act provides that employers may pay sub-minimum wage rates of $12.30 per hour to any employee who is a minor. SCOTT SVAGERA

Establishes the "Youthful Offender Sentencing Reform and Accountability Act"

Modifies provisions relating to garnishments